Real Estate: “We feel that any abuse of one’s power or status to victimize another is completely unacceptable.”

Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images

In May 2016, Real Estate announced that Matt Mondanile was no longer a member. At the time, the band said he was “focusing on his own Ducktails project.” Today, Real Estate told Pitchfork in a statement that Mondanile was fired “when allegations of unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention.” In a phone conversation with Pitchfork prior to Real Estate’s statement, Mondanile denied any wrongdoing.

Mondanile was a founding Real Estate member and guitarist. He was part of the band for all of its releases through 2014’s Atlas, though he was replaced by Julian Lynch for the group’s 2017 album In Mind. His most recent Ducktails release on Domino was the 2015 album St. Catherine. Earlier this month he issued a new Ducktails album, Jersey Devil, on his own New Images label. Domino confirmed to Pitchfork that he is no longer signed to the label.

Real Estate’s statement:

Matt Mondanile was fired in February 2016 when allegations of
unacceptable treatment of women were brought to our attention. While
we urged him to seek counseling at the time of termination, we are no
longer in contact. We feel that any abuse of one’s power or status to
victimize another is completely unacceptable. We applaud the courage
of the women who came forward to make us aware so that we could
address the issue head on.